“Yes, please tell me where she is. You have no idea how hard I’ve been looking for her this past year.”
She seems to be assessing me for a minute before she speaks. “Okay, the truth is, Ria and yourself were actually born in the wrong world. Well, your souls were, that is. You both belong in a realm called Dyconia. It could be the reason you two have been so close, you feel that pull to someone else from your home.”
“Whoa, this is some serious sci-fi fantasy stuff here.”
She nods. “Yes, I am aware how it sounds. But it’s true. And while you two were born here, the two souls meant for the human world were born into identical bodies in Dyconia.”
My eyes widen at the mention of identical bodies.Was that like a doppelganger?
“That girl, who looks like Ria…” She nods.
“Yes, she was born in Dyconia, but belongs here. It’s my job to switch you all back.”
“But, why now? Why didn’t you bring me over a year ago with Ria? Or years ago?”
“Ah, good question, but one I can’t really answer, I’m afraid. All I can tell you is that you’re each sent when it’s meant to happen.”
“And it’s my time now?”
She smiles at me before a grimace takes over her face and she places a hand on her stomach for a moment, before schooling her expression again. “Yes, it’s your time, Penny.”
“You okay?”
“Just some indigestion. Now, let’s get you ready. There are a few things you need to know before you get there.” She stands and I jump up, following her to a tall cabinet on the far side of the room, beside a door I didn’t notice before.
“I get to go now, as inrightnow?” I ask eagerly, looking at the door.
“That’s right.”
“Is this the way?” I ask, grabbing the door handle, but it won’t open.
“Hold your horses girl, sheesh! Yes, that’s the way out of the Enchanted Veil, but I haven’t opened the doorway yet.”
“Holy smokes, this is so cool. You know I once jumped out of a plane, but somehow this is so much more exciting! Can you show me?” I point to the door. When she simply stares at me, I start to beg. “Pleeeease?” I whine, placing my hands under my chin and pouting at her.
She gives me an unamused glare, but she can’t hold it for long before a smile takes over. “Fine, stand back.” She places her palm on the door and a burst of light flows out from her hand, then through the cracks, bright enough to make me shield my eyes. When I sense the light recedes, I glance back and see the door is softly glowing.
“Whoa,” I whisper, as if talking too loudly will make me wake up from this cool dream.
She grabs the handle and yanks the door open. Ahead I see alarge stone wall on the right, and the beginning of a forest on my left. The trees look similar to ones I’ve seen, but different somehow. Taller maybe?
“Wow…” I trail off as I step towards the door, drawn by this amazing sight. I know this shop is located on a busy street. The only thing behind it was probably a smelly alley.
“Penny, wait!” The smell of pine assaults my senses and I step forward to take in more of it.
“This is amazing!”
“Penny, get back here, I need to tell you some important things first.” I realize I’ve crossed the doorway now, and look down to see my shoes pressing into the dirt.
I glance up at the woman who led me here. “Where can I find Ria?”
“I’m not exactly sure, but I have to tell you a few things, come back in before someone sees you.” I glance around. Now I’m here, I’m not eager to cross back over. What if I can’t get through again?
“What’s your name?” I ask her, wondering why it’s her job to switch us around like this.
“My name?”
“Yeah, I don’t want to keep referring to you as ‘that girl’ in my head.”
